“But who?”
The strongest argument against replacing President Joe Biden as the 2024 Democratic nominee is the notion that no suitable successor exists. But there is, and not just a good one but one of the most qualified people ever to run for the office: Hillary Rodham Clinton.
For what feels like longer than two weeks, we have publicly and endlessly debated about Biden’s candidacy. Democrats have repeatedly called on him to make a decision. It is damaging, divisive and only serves to further improve Donald Trump’s chances. I have ferociously defended Biden in the past and demanded that Democrats fall in line behind our guy, but we need to put the debate to bed. If Biden is to yield the arena, we must consider why Clinton is not just a fitting champion to take up the mantle, but perhaps the mightiest of all.
Let’s get this out of the way first: Clinton is younger than both Biden and Trump. Given the current furor over age, this is not a trivial fact; energy and stamina are equated with capability.
Clinton is a ready-made replacement. She possesses an unparalleled resume and an unmatched depth of experience. She has consistently redefined the roles she has served, from secretary of State and U.S. senator to first lady and Children’s Defense Fund attorney. Her extensive background in domestic and international affairs is not just impressive; at a time when global politics are increasingly volatile and complex, her experience is priceless. Her continued advocacy for children’s rights and health care—a topic of ever-increasing importance post-pandemic—adds another layer of appeal.
Critics will be quick to point to the 2016 controversies, which ranged from emails to, well, mostly emails, but these attacks are tired and exhaustively investigated, and she has been cleared of all charges — Donald Trump has not.
Despite winning the popular vote, there are millions of voters who, with a healthy dose of hindsight, regret not supporting her in 2016. This buyer’s remorse reflects her undimmed capability and a broader disillusionment with Trump’s divisive rhetoric. These swing-back voters are crucial to winning; Clinton can turn past regrets into proactive support by being a powerful reminder of the stakes of straying in 2024. And according to a poll released in the wake of Biden's disastrous debate, Clinton is already favored to take down Trump, 43 percent to 41 percent.
Acknowledging lessons from past campaigns is not about just correcting mistakes but also adapting to the ever-changing political landscape. Biden won under unusual circumstances, campaigning primarily from his home in lockdown. Having been on the ground in 2016 and a front-row spectator in 2020, Clinton is uniquely placed to evaluate and improve campaign strategies. Fundraising would not be a challenge for her; throughout her campaigns for office, she amassed billions in campaign funds from grassroots donations, high-dollar fundraisers and political action committees.
From women’s rights and education to global diplomacy and health care, Clinton has traveled the world delivering passionate speeches. Her ability to connect with diverse audiences and articulate complex ideas with clarity and conviction re-establishes her as a formidable global stateswoman, contrasting with Trump’s ridicule by world leaders.
But it’s not all about Clinton. Recent elections in India, South Africa, the United Kingdon and France highlight a global challenge for incumbents, with some suffering catastrophic losses. Widespread demand for change, no matter how vague, has often proven insurmountable. Clinton can campaign on her extraordinary record of public service and proven leadership while avoiding the pitfalls of incumbency, embodying both stability and renewal — a strategy recently successful in the UK.
Then there is the obvious, yet still historic, potential for her to become the country’s first female president — a milestone that unfortunately has still not been met.
But I’m not naive. Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of working closely with female political leaders, and it has been uniquely painful. In the UK 2019 general election, I witnessed the mistreatment of Jo Swinson, the first female leader of the Liberal Democrats, whose shoes and teeth ended up playing a remarkable role in her perceived leadership credibility. Instead of articulating her vision, she battled questions about balancing her leadership with looking after children. She was shut out from the TV debates and ridiculed when she pushed back. A fortune was spent on protection from relentless threats against her family, while a surge in sexist and derogatory online searches characterized the campaign’s final month.
Clinton, who has navigated these turbulent waters with admirable resilience, offers a tangible path to overcoming these biases. From there, she can rewrite the rules — something she’s done once or twice before.
The Democrats have a seasoned, savvy and adaptable candidate in Hillary Clinton. Without the burden of incumbency, she can run on a platform of stability, restoration and progress, with the credibility of her lifetime in public service and proven leadership. In her candidacy, we might just find our best chance to retain the White House and transcend the gladiatorial spectacle of politics.
Pablo O’Hana is a senior political adviser and commentator who served prominent UK political figures, including the deputy prime minister, secretaries of state, ministers and the leader of the Liberal Democrats. He worked on the campaign to Remain in the EU and helped deliver a ‘Yes’ result in Ireland’s referendum on legalizing abortion.
